x

Leicester Youngster Elder Training With View to Loan as Dawkins on Trial - Ipswich Town News

TWTD understands Leicester City’s Australian left-back Callum Elder has been training with the Blues with a view to joining on loan when the January transfer window opens, while free agent winger Simon Dawkins has also been with the Town squad for the last couple of weeks as he looks to win a deal.

Elder, an Australia U20 international, who joined the Foxes from Manly United based in his hometown of Sydney aged 16, will become manager Paul Lambert’s first Town signing.

The 23-year-old, who is out of contract in the summer, is yet to make a senior appearance for Leicester but has spent time on loan at Mansfield, Peterborough, Brentford, Barnsley and Wigan.

He was with the Latics for the whole of the 2017/18 campaign, in which they played in League One, making 30 starts and three sub appearances in all competitions, scoring once.

Elder’s only Championship experience came in spells with Brentford and Barnsley the previous season, a total of 11 starts for the two clubs.

When joining the Tykes, Elder, who qualifies for England and Scotland as well as Australia, described himself as "an athletic full-back. I like getting up and down the left-hand-side”.

The Blues moving for another left-back is likely to add to the speculation that Jonas Knudsen, who is out of contract in the summer and dropped to the bench for today’s game at Middlesbrough, could move on in January.

The 26-year-old Danish international is in talks with Town regarding a new contract but may be unwilling to commit himself to a new deal while the Blues look destined to drop into League One.

Town may well be willing to sell the former Esbjerg fB man now rather than allow him to depart on a free transfer in the summer.

Knudsen has previously been linked with FC Copenhagen and FC Midtjylland in his native Denmark and Fortuna Düsseldorf in Germany.

Meanwhile, we understand free agent former Derby winger Simon Dawkins, who was linked with the Blues last weekend, has been on trial with the Blues for the last fortnight.

Dawkins, 31, who left MLS side the San Jose Earthquakes in February, came through the academy at Tottenham and spent spells on loan with Leyton Orient, the Earthquakes, Aston Villa and Derby while a player at White Hart Lane.

In January 2014 the Edgeware-born left-sided wideman was sold to Derby for £500,000 without having broken into the Spurs first team.

Two years later, the 19-times-capped Jamaica international moved back to the Earthquakes in January 2016 but left this February.

Dawkins subsequently came close to joining Minnesota United and then spent time on trial with League One sides Charlton and Luton in the summer but wasn’t offered terms by either club. We understand the Blues are yet to make a decision on Dawkins.

What to read next:

Hurzeler: Positive Feedback From Town on Enciso
Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler says he has had positive feedback from Town regarding loanee Julio Enciso.
McKenna: Our Motivation Needs to Match Brentford's
Town host Europe-chasing Brentford in this season’s penultimate home game looking for only their second Premier League win at Portman Road during 2024/25.
Greaves: I've Enjoyed Playing Left-Back
Due to a recent suspension for Leif Davis and hamstring injury for Conor Townsend, Town have been hit with a shortage of players available to play at left-back.
Premier League Calls Off Town U19s' India Trip Over Political Tensions
A Town U19s side was set to travel to India this weekend to play in the Premier League Next Generation Cup, however, the tournament has been called off due to the worsening political situation between the host nation and Pakistan.
Greaves: Best Mate Lewis-Potter is Class Act
Town defender Jacob Greaves says he is excited at the prospect of sharing a pitch with one of his best friends as he prepares to face Keane Lewis-Potter on Saturday.
Cresswell Could Make Final West Ham Appearance Back at Town
Former Town full-back Aaron Cresswell could make his final appearance for West Ham United back at Portman Road on the final day of the season, the Hammers having announced the 35-year-old’s release after 11 years at the club.
McKenna: Shorter Summer No Problem
Boss Kieran McKenna isn’t concerned by the Blues having a shorter summer break due to the later end to the Premier League season and the Championship’s early start.
McKenna: Character Shown at Everton Was What I Know and Expect
Blues manager Kieran McKenna says the character his side showed as they came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Everton last Saturday came as little surprise to him.
McKenna: Burgess and Tuanzebe Talks Ongoing For a While
Town boss Kieran McKenna says contract talks with the likes of Cameron Burgess and Axel Tuanzebe haven’t been affected by confirmation of the Blues’ relegation to the Championship with discussions already having been ongoing.
McKenna: Tuanzebe's Had a Good Week, Phillips and Cajuste Still Struggling
Town boss Kieran McKenna has no new injury concerns to deal with ahead of Saturday’s home game against Brentford, while Axel Tuanzebe had a good week’s training and Ben Johnson is back from suspension but Kalvin Phillips and Jens Cajuste are still not fully fit.